From the Catalogue: Jenny Holzer

Selections from Truisms and Survival:

A little knowledge can go a long wayA lot of professionals are crackpotsA man can’t know what it is like to be a motherA name means a lot just by itselfA positive attitude makes all the difference in the worldA relaxed man is not necessarily a better manA sense of timing is the mark of geniusA sincere effort is all you can askA single event can have infinitely many interpretationsA solid home base builds a sense of selfA strong sense of duty imprisons youAbsolute submission can be a form of freedomAbstraction is a type of decadenceAbuse of power comes as no surpriseAction causes more trouble than thoughtAlienation produces eccentrics or revolutionariesAll things are delicately interconnectedAmbition is just as dangerous as complacencyAmbivalence can ruin your lifeAn elite is inevitableAnger or hate can be a useful motivating forceAnimalism is perfectly healthyAny surplus is immoralAnything is a legitimate area of investigationArtificial desires are despoiling the earthAt times inactivity is preferable to mindless functioningAutomation is deadlyAwful punishment awaits really bad peopleBad intentions can yield good resultsBeing alone with yourself is increasingly unpopularBeing happy is more important than anything elseBeing honest is not always the kindest wayBeing judgemental is a sign of lifeBeing sure of yourself means you’re a foolBoredom makes you do crazy thingsCategorising fear is calmingChange is valuable when the oppressed become tyrantsChasing the new is dangerous to societyChildren are the most cruel of allChildren are the hope of the futureClass action is a nice idea with no substanceClass structure is as artificial as plasticConfusing yourself is a way to stay honestCrime against property is relatively unimportantDecadence can be an end in itselfDecency is a relative thingDependence can be a meal ticketDescription is more valuable than metaphorDeviants are sacrificed to increase group solidarityDisgust is the appropriate response to most situationsDon’t place too much trust in expertsDrama often obscures the real issuesDreaming whilst awake is a frightening contradictionDying and coming back gives you considerable perspectiveDying should be as easy as falling off a logYou are trapped on the earth so you will explodeWhat urge will save us now that sex won’tSavour kindness because cruelty is always possible laterThe beginning of the war will be secretUse what is dominant in a culture to change it quickly